CalEvents:Mar/Mar 18
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for March 18
Date
Event
Significance
March 18, 1837
Birth of Grover Cleveland, U.S. president who vetoed many civil rights bills
On this day, Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, was born. His presidency had mixed effects on African-Americans, particularly due to his frequent vetoes of civil rights-related legislation during the post-Reconstruction era.
March 18, 1965
Martin Luther King Jr. leads march to Montgomery, Alabama
On this day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the Selma to Montgomery march, which was part of the broader campaign for African-American voting rights. This march played a key role in the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
March 18, 1966
President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana arrives in Conakry, Guinea after coup
On this day, Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, arrived in Conakry, Guinea, after being ousted in a military coup. He was welcomed by President Sékou Touré and continued his Pan-African advocacy from exile.
March 18, 1980
Zimbabwe’s first post-independence elections held
On this day, Zimbabwe held its first post-independence elections. Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party won the elections, marking the end of white-minority rule and the establishment of a majority Black government in Zimbabwe.
March 18, 1990
Namibia gains independence from South Africa
On this day, Namibia gained its independence from South African rule. This marked the end of colonialism in Namibia and was a significant moment in the liberation movements of southern Africa.
March 18, 2002
Robert Mugabe sworn in as President of Zimbabwe after contested election
On this day, Robert Mugabe was sworn in as President of Zimbabwe after a contested election marred by accusations of vote-rigging and violence. Mugabe's continued rule faced international criticism for undermining democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.
March 18, 2015
Protests in South Africa against xenophobic violence
On this day, protests erupted in South Africa against a wave of xenophobic attacks targeting African immigrants. The protests highlighted ongoing tensions over migration and economic inequality in South Africa.